Check here CAT exam total marks and number of questions. Also know the marking scheme and sectional weightage of CAT 2026 so that you know how much preparation is required for which section.
CAT is an exam of 68 questions only but the challenge is managing a good number of attempts out of them to get a good score. There is sectional time limit in the exam to help candidates manage each section, however, it often poses challenge in solving enough number of questions accurately to get a good score. Total marks in CAT is 204 and it is essential to aim about 125 marks to get 99.99 percentile. As you start your CAT 2026 preparation journey, make a strategy keeping in mind CAT total marks and your target percentile score.
- CAT Total Marks and Number of Questions
- CAT Marking Scheme 2026
- CAT Section Wise Number of Attempts
- CAT Total Marks and Number of Questions Over the Years
CAT Total Marks and Number of Questions
There is no change in the test pattern of the CAT exam from previous year. Given below is the table indicating CAT total marks and number of questions for 2026 examination.
| CAT Sections |
CAT Total Question |
Marks Per Question |
Total Marks of CAT |
|---|---|---|---|
| VARC |
24 |
3 |
72 |
| DILR |
22 |
3 |
66 |
| Quantitative Aptitude |
22 |
3 |
66 |
| CAT Total Marks |
68 |
- |
205 |
Also read:
CAT Marking Scheme 2026
CAT marking scheme is designed in a way that the candidate is judged neither too leniently nor too strictly. There is negative marking for incorrect attempts, at the same time, there is relief from it too. Check below CAT marking scheme.
- CAT exam total marks is 204
- Every question will carry 3 marks
- There will be negative marking of -1 for incorrect attempts
- There will be no negative marking for non-MCQ questions
- Negative marking does not apply to non-MCQs and unanswered questions
CAT Section Wise Number of Attempts
CAT 2026 will have 68 questions but it will not be mandatory to attempt all the questions. Candidates must however, make sure to attempt a good number of questions per section to get a good CAT score and percentile. During the CAT 2026 preparation, candidates should attempt mock tests keeping in mind the same. Given below is the estimated number of good attempts for CAT 2026:
| CAT Section |
Number of Questions in CAT |
Number of Good Attempts |
|---|---|---|
| VARC |
24 |
18 |
| DILR |
22 |
15 |
| Quantitative Aptitude |
22 |
16 |
| Total |
68 |
47 |
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CAT Total Marks and Number of Questions Over the Years
Marking scheme of CAT exam has not changed in the last decade, but CAT total marks and number of questions have been revised multiple times. Check below CAT exam total marks and number of questions over the years:
| CAT Year |
Number of Questions |
Total Marks |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 |
68 |
204 |
| 2024 |
68 |
204 |
| 2023 |
66 |
198 |
| 2022 |
66 |
198 |
| 2021 |
66 |
198 |
| 2020 |
76 |
228 |
| 2019 |
100 |
300 |
| 2018 |
100 |
300 |
| 2017 |
100 |
300 |
| 2016 |
100 |
300 |
| 2015 |
100 |
300 |
| 2014 |
100 |
300 |
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Student Forum
Answered 9 hours ago
As per my knowledge, Yes If you've worked hard for your CAT score and you're now wondering whether DBS Global University will accept it For MBA admission at DBS Global University, a valid CAT score is accepted alongside MAT, CMAT, XAT, GMAT, and the DBS Global University Entrance Examination. Regist
P
Beginner-Level 4
Answered Yesterday
The CAT 2026 cutoff has not been released yet. However, as per the 2025 cutoff, for admission to PGDM International Business at FORE School of Management, the last round cutoff percentile stood at 75 for the General AI category.
Additionally, the XAT cutoff 2026 for the same course also stood at 75
Answered Yesterday
No, CAT is not compulsory to get admission in Justice K S Hegde Institute of Management. The college offers admission into MBA bvased on NUCAT scores. Other entrance exams accepted by the college include: CAT, MAT, CMAT, or KMAT.
R
Contributor-Level 10
Answered 2 days ago
CAT is compulsory to take admission in MBA and MBA IB courses offered by the Institute of Management Studies of BHU (formerly known as FMS BHU). Admission to these courses is based on candidates' performance in CAT, GD-PI and past academic records.
However, candidates seeking admission to the MBA cou
H
Contributor-Level 10
Answered 3 days ago
No, CAT is not compulsorily required to get admission in RV University. The university considers score of nationally approved admission test (such as CAT, GMAT, NMAT, XAT), with high scores in English & numerical ability for admission into MBA.
R
Contributor-Level 10
Answered a week ago
Dear reader,
Lovely Professional University (LPU) is a great substitute for Delhi University, which offers a good and prestigious platform for management education. With an industry-aligned curriculum, broad global exposure, and an exceptional track record of high-package placements with top interna
A
Contributor-Level 10
Answered a week ago
Dear reader,
Lovely Professional University (LPU) is a great substitute for Virohan: Vivekananda Global University, which offers a good platform for specialised study. With an industry-focused curriculum, extensive international exposure, and an exceptional track record of high-package placements wi
A
Contributor-Level 10
Answered 2 weeks ago
Yes. IIMB does require the CAT exam, but the rest of the top B-schools in Bangalore also take in candidates through the state-level CET, ie, the Karnataka PGCET exam, or through MAT or CMAT.
Top B-schools in Bangalore without CAT | Cutoffs Required |
|---|---|
26690 | |
29592 |
Note: All info. is from official sites and can change.
S
Contributor-Level 10
Answered 2 weeks ago
IIM Calcutta has only mentioned accepting GMAT score for admission into EMBA courses.
However, CAT is commonly accepted by other similar institutes for both MBA and MBAEx courses. Thus, candidates are advised to ask admission desk for confirmation on this question.
S
Contributor-Level 10
Answered 2 weeks ago
It is not possible to determine a candidate's admission in IIM Calcutta MBA course through CAT score alone. In Stage 1, a score 85% in CAT will be enough for a general category candidate to be selected for PI+WAT admission stage.
Final admission cutoffs are based on many factors other than CAT score.
S
Contributor-Level 10
Vipra Shrivastava is MA in English Literature from Delhi University with extensive experience in content writing of over 14 years. She has been handling content for Management, Accounting and Commerce streams for 8
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